Bernard Stewart was named vice president of ESPN in the Caribbean, it was announced today by Guillermo Tabanera, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Media Networks in Latin America.
In this newly created position, Stewart will spearhead ESPN’s businesses in the Caribbean and the Cruise Ships business. He will also oversee ESPN’s programming syndication business throughout the territory and will be responsible for spearheading the development of new digital media opportunities in the region. His focus will also include oversight of both the affiliate and advertising sales.
“Bernard has been instrumental to the growth of the ESPN brand outside the U.S.” said, Tabanera. “Under his stewardship, ESPN has grown to reach 409 million households in the Asia Pacific region. He will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our international businesses in the Caribbean.”
Stewart joined ESPN in 1980 as one of the early pioneers of the company’s development and recently celebrated 28 years of service to ESPN and The Walt Disney Company. From 1999-2008, Bernard Stewart was vice president and general manager, ESPN Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong for four years, Stewart was ESPN International’s most senior executive for the Asia Pacific region. He served on the board of directors of ESPN STAR Sports, the company’s joint venture in Asia with STAR TV and as chairman of the management advisory committee of Japan Satellite Broadcasting (JSB), the company’s network venture in Japan.. In June of 2008 Stewart launched ESPN HD Australia, ESPN’s first international HD network.
From 1992 to1999, Stewart served as vice president, programming and development, ESPN International, responsible for development and long-term strategy for ESPN’s global family of networks. He also oversaw daily program scheduling and the program development. During his career, he has created or developed over 25 original series and program concepts for the ESPN network and syndication distribution system.
From 1991 to 1992, Stewart was director programming, operations and productions, ESPN International, where he launched the international edition of ESPN’s award-winning program SportsCenter. He created, designed and supervised the development of ESPN’s first network use of cutting edge ‘virtual set technology’ – for the weekly series ‘Football Weekend’ and developed ESPN’s production method of international multi-language program delivery providing distinctive language services in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and English.
Stewart graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television and Motion Picture Production. He also holds separate M.S. degrees in Urban Studies and Media Technology, both from Southern Connecticut University.
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